Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is, on many counts, a curious choice for President Joe Biden to honor with a state visit.Since Russia's Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine 16 months ago, India has boosted its economy by purchasing increasing quantities of cheap Russian oil.
Human rights groups and political opponents have accused Modi of stifling dissent and…
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#modi
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#indopacific
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Biden is ready to fete India's leader, looking past Modi's human rights record and ties to Russia
President Joe Biden is preparing to host Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a state visit this week, despite concerns about Modi's human rights record and his country's ties to Russia.
The visit, which will be the first by an Indian prime minister to the United States since 2014, is seen as an opportunity to strengthen ties between the two countries. India is a key strategic partner for the United States in the Indo-Pacific region, and the Biden administration is eager to deepen cooperation on issues such as security, trade, and climate change.
However, the visit is also likely to be overshadowed by concerns about Modi's human rights record. Modi has been accused of overseeing the Gujarat riots in 2002, in which more than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed. He has also been criticized for his handling of the Kashmir conflict, which has led to the detention of thousands of Kashmiris.
In addition, India has been criticized for its decision to purchase Russian oil, despite the U.S. and its allies imposing sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine. The Biden administration has urged India to reduce its reliance on Russian oil, but so far, India has refused.
Despite these concerns, Biden is expected to give Modi a warm welcome during the state visit. The two leaders are likely to focus on areas of cooperation, such as trade and security. However, it is also likely that Biden will raise human rights and Russia with Modi.
Human rights concerns
Modi's human rights record has been a source of concern for many years. In 2002, while he was chief minister of Gujarat, a state in western India, communal violence broke out between Hindus and Muslims. More than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed in the violence. Modi was accused of failing to stop the violence, and he was banned from entering the United States for several years.
In recent years, Modi has been accused of continuing to discriminate against Muslims. In 2019, the Indian government revoked the special status of Kashmir, a Muslim-majority region. The move was seen by many as an attempt to further marginalize Muslims in India.
The Biden administration has raised concerns about India's human rights record with Modi in the past. However, the administration has been reluctant to criticize India publicly, as it views India as a key strategic partner.
Russia ties
India has also been criticized for its ties to Russia. In recent months, India has increased its purchases of Russian oil, despite the U.S. and its allies imposing sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine. The Biden administration has urged India to reduce its reliance on Russian oil, but so far, India has refused.
India's ties to Russia are complex. Russia is a major arms supplier to India, and the two countries have a long history of cooperation. However, India is also a member of the Quad, a security alliance that includes the United States, Japan, and Australia. The Quad is seen as a counterweight to China, and India's decision to purchase Russian oil has raised concerns among Quad members.
The state visit
Despite the concerns about Modi's human rights record and his country's ties to Russia, Biden is expected to give Modi a warm welcome during the state visit. The two leaders are likely to focus on areas of cooperation, such as trade and security. However, it is also likely that Biden will raise human rights and Russia with Modi.
The state visit is a sign of the importance that the Biden administration places on India. India is a key strategic partner for the United States in the Indo-Pacific region, and the Biden administration is eager to deepen cooperation with India. However, the visit is also likely to be overshadowed by concerns about Modi's human rights record and his country's ties to Russia.
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